Today's News

A four percent increase in travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is forecast nationally by the American Automobile Association.
AAA forecasts that 42.5 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday weekend. Travel in Virginia during Wednesday-Sunday will resemble the national trend, with about 1.3 million Virginians traveling for the holiday — up 3.8 percent from last year.

For most of this winter, Appalachian Power’s Virginia electric rates will be about 10 percent lower than they were last year, the company said in a news release.
APCo said a cheaper electric rate could translate into even lower monthly electric bills if outdoor temperatures cooperate and customers take three steps — maintain their heating system, eliminate air leaks and sign up for the average monthly payment plan.

INDEPENDENCE –– Just how strong is the Western Section Division 2 playoff field? If it had been put together by a selection committee instead of a mathematical formula, there would be howling out of Pittsylvania County about Dan River being under-appreciated.

The No. 10 seed in a 16-team field, Dan River (8-3) will venture into Bill Strong Field tonight for a second-round meeting with No. 2 Grayson County (10-1) after having knocked off seventh-seeded and defending state champion Gate City on the road, 33-10, last Saturday.

The Galax Y’s Men’s Club is in its 25th year of coordinating the annual Community Christmas Chest Fund that provides food for 550 needed families in the area during the holidays.
The fundraising goal this year is $30,000 to buy the food, which provides two large boxes filled with staples for each family at a cost of $55 per family.
The Galax V’s Men’s Club asks the community to continue to bond together in support of the fundraising goal as in the past.

The body of a missing man was found on the New River Trail on Sunday, according to police.

Galax Police Chief Rick Clark said the remains of Moises Serrano, 19, was found in Carroll County, about five miles down the trail from the Galax trail entrance. Serrano was last seen on Nov. 13 and his vehicle was found at the trail parking lot off U.S. 58 in Galax.